Automatic train-pipe connecter



y 28, 19297 J. ROBINSON AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE (EONNECTER Original Filed Jan. 11. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet.

A WR/VEK? May 28, 1929-. J. ROBINSON AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTER Original Filed Jan. 1 1'. -1921 2 SheetsSheet A24 /ai" Patented May 28, 1929..

UNITE;

AUTOMATIC TRAIN-PIPE CONNECTER.

Application filed January 11,1921, Serial No. 436,480. Renewedfoctober 8, 1928( This invention relates to automatic train pipe connecters and particularly to an arrangement of universal joint for yieldingly supporting the coupling head and permitting movement of the same in all directions relative to the bracket.

The invention has for its object to provide a universal joint which is simple in construction, which has the parts so arranged as to permit easy and ready movement of the head in all directions and which can be easily manufactured and assembled. Other and further advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, and in which V Figure 1 is a side elevation of my approved construction;

Figure 2 is a partial horizontal sectionon the line 22 of Figure 1, parts, of the coupling head being omitted; j 1

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, the spring and pivot block against which the spring bears being omitted; I

vFigure 4 is a rear elevation of the supporting bracket; 7

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the lower end of the bracket showing the pivot block in section and also showing its relation to the part of the bracket with which it co operates and v Figure 6 is an enlarged front view of the pivot block itself.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 10

represents a lug which is attached to a car coupler or to any other suitable part-of the car to which my improved device is applied. A bracket 11 is secured to the luglO in any suitable manner as by means of bolts 11*, and the lower end of this bracket is provided with a downwardly extending projection 12 'which is preferably located centrally of the lower end of the bracket. The lower end of the projection 12 is provided with a forwardly extending portion 12* the upper surface of which constitutes a ledge 13 and above this ledge the bracket is formed with a projecting portion or abutment 15, the ledge 13 and abutment 15 being spaced apart thereby forming a recess or seat in the front portion of the bracket or the front portion of the projection 12. That portion of theprojection 12 above the ledge 13 and .below the abutwardly projecting portion 17 adapted to' enter the recess heretofore referred to be.

tweenthe abutment15 and the ledge 13 and to rest upon the latter. This rearwardly projecting portion of the pivot block is provided with a concave bearing surface 17 whlch is adapted to cooperate with the con vex bearing portion 16 formed on the pro-.

jeetion 12 of the bracket. The upper portion of-the pivot block 14 is provided with straight sides 14 and the lower portion thereof is shaped to form laterally projecting shoulders 18 for a purpose hereinafter pointed out. The pivot block 14 is. pro vided on its front face with a forwardly projecting boss 19 which is adapted to lie within the end of a coiled spring as hereinafter pointed out. p The coupling head of my 1cglevice may be of any approved construction,

ut type of head which is provided with a base portion 20 having guiding'prongs 2O extending forwardly therefrom and the head is preferably provided with a conduit 21 secured thereto in any suitable manner and extending laterally and having means for the attachment of a train pipe hose. A shank 22 is secured to the head in anysuitable mannerpreferably being attached to the conduit 21. members 23 and 24 which are spaced apart a suitable distance to span the upper portion of the pivot block 14 heretofore described and to contact with the shoulders 18 of said block; Thespaced members 23 and 24 of the shank also span the projection 12 of the bracket. At its rear portion the shank 22 carries a stop member 25 which is secured to the shankin anysuitable manner as by means of a nut 26. this member being provided with a suitable projection 01 flange 25 which is adapted to rest against the rear face of the bracket. An abutment 27 is provided near the front end of the shank 22 and a coiled spring 28 surrounds the shank 22 This shank 22 is composed of preferably I employ the well known and bears against the abutment 27 and also iii against the pivot block 14 heretofore described, the rear end of this spring surrounding the boss 19 on the pivot block;

Briefly referring to the operation of the improvedconstruction, it will be understood that when the parts are assembled and positioned as shown and described the projection 17 of the pivot block 14 lies above the ledge 13 of the projection 12 of the bracket and that the concave bearing surof the pivotal action between the bearing surfaces above described, and movement of the head in a vertical plane will be permittedby reason of the pivotal action of the pivot block in the recess or depression formed between the ledge 13 and abutment 15.

The foregoing construction therefore provides a universal joint which contains few parts and which can be easily manufactured and assembled and applied to a car as well as one which is free and flexible in its movements so that the coupling head may readily move in any direction to meetthe requirements of active service.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by.Letters Patent is:

1. In an automatic train pipe connector, a bracket having a curved bearing surface on its front face or edge, a pivot-block having a curved bearing surface for coo erating with said first named bearing sur ace, a coupling head having a shank extending rearwardly past said block and bracket, said shank having spaced members which span said block and bracket and means for yieldingly holding said bearing surfaces in contact.

' 2. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a bracket having a convex bearing-surface on its front face or edge, a pivot-block having a concave bearing surface for cooperating with said first named bearing surface, a coupling head having a shank extending rearwardly past said block and bracket and 'having a flange on its rear portion, said shank having spaced members which span said block and bracket and means for yieldingly holdingsaid bearing surfaces in contact and-said flange against the rear face of the bracket.

3. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a coupling head, a bracket having a ledge formed on the lower portion thereof, a pivot block having a part arranged above said ledge, a shank secured to said head and extending past said block and bracket, said shank having spaced members between which said block is arranged, and a spring surrounding said shank between said head and block and bearing on the latter.

4. In an automatic train pipe connector, a bracket having at its lower end a bearing surface curved in a horizontal direction, a ledge on said bracket beneath and in front of said-bearing surface, a pivot block having a part adapted to rest on said ledge and having a curved bearing surface adapted to cooperate with said first named curved surface, a coupling head, a shank secured thereto and extending rearwardly past said block and bracket, and means for vyieldingly holding said bearing surfaces in contact.

5. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a bracket having on its lower end a projection provided on its front face or edge with a' convex bearing surface, a pivot block arranged in front of the bracket andhaving a concave bearing surface for cooperating with said first named bearing surface, a coupling head, a shank connected thereto and extending rearwardly and having a flange adapted to engage the rear faceof the bracket and also having, spaced members arranged on opposite sides of said pivot block and projection and means for yieldingly holding said bearing surfaces in contact and said flange against the bracket.

6. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a coupling head, a bracket having a projection at its lower end, said projection having a forwardly projecting ledge on its front portion and also having a convex bearing surface above and to the rear of said ledge, a pivot block having a part arranged above said ledge and having a curved bearing surface adapted to cooperate with said first named bearing surface, a shank secured to said head and extending rearwardly past said block and projection and having a flange for engaging the rear face of the bracket and yielding means acting upon said block and serving to hold said bearing surfaces in contact and said flange against the bracket.

7. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a bracket having at its lower end a projection, said projection having a seat in its front face or wall, a pivot block having a part projecting into said seat, a coupling head, a shank secured thereto and extending rearwardly and having a flange secured on its rear portion, said shank also having spaced members which span said pivot block and said projection and a coiled spring surrounding said shank between said head and block and serving to hold said flange against the rear face of the bracket.

8. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a bracket having a projection at its lower end which is provided with a seat, a pivot a cured on its rear portion, said shank also having spaced members which span said 7 block and projection, and means for yieldingly holding said bearing surfaces in contact and said flange against the rear face of the bracket.

9. In an automatic train pipe connector, a bracket having a recess on its front face or wall, a pivot block pivotally supported in said recess, the lower wall of said recess being arranged to extend horizontally beneath a portion of said block whereby downward displacement of the same is prevented,

a coupling head, a shank secured thereto extending rearwardly past said block and bracket and having a flange, said shank having spaced members spanning said block,

said block having shoulders arranged beneath said members, and yielding means for holding said block in engagement with said recess and said flange against the rear face of the bracket.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOSEPH ROBINSON. 

